FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Joe Picchi/Christine Burling
Thursday, October 6, 2005	PHONE: 518-473-7000

 

Albany, New York – On Thursday, October 6, 2005 officials from Giffen Elementary School, Albany City Police Department, The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Capitol District Safe Kids Coalition, and the State Department of Transportation today gathered at Giffen Elementary to kick off "Walk Our Children to School Day" and the "Walk This Way Program." The event teaches students about how to safely walk to and from school and encourages families to walk together.

"Walk Our Children to School Day" is a national campaign of the National Safety Council, the Partnership for a Walkable America and Walking Magazine that encourages families to walk to schools or bus stops together at lease one day each year. The "Walk this Way" program is an international campaign to teach school-age children to be safe when walking. The events coincide; therefore officials are celebrating both together.

This event calls attention to walking, which is a beneficial activity for good health, encourages the development of life-long walking habits, and helps ensure a safe trip for school-age children.

The New York State campaign encourages parents and schools to become more involved with improving pedestrian safety. Through partnerships with sate and local agencies, traffic congestion near schools can be reduced; pedestrian amenities can be introduced or improved; and preferred walking routes through neighborhoods can be developed.

The event is sponsored by the Capitol District Safe Kids Coalition, of which the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee is a part and made possible through a grant by FedEx.

For more information on "Walk Our Children to School Day" please visit www.walktoschool.org or www.iwalktoschool.org or www.nyswalks.org. For more information on the "Walk this Way" program please visit www.safekids.org.